Orthodontic end tube

ABSTRACT

An orthodontic end tube is described which is suitable for receiving an extension of an inner bow of a face bow orthodontic appliance. The end tube comprises a tubular member having an aperture passing therethrough which is dimensioned to receive an extension of the inner bow. The tubular member is provided with guide means along a peripheral portion of the tubular member. According to one embodiment, the guide means is embodiment the guide means is in the form of an elongated exposed groove having an open end at one end of the member. The groove extends at least partially along the length of the tubular member and is adapted to at least partially receive the extension of the inner bow. The tubular member, at the end of the tube where the groove has the open end, an end surface which is inclined relative to the axis of the tube. An inner surface portion of the aperture is exposed and positioned adjacent to and generally facing the direction of the groove. According to another embodiment, the guide means is in the form of a flared opening at one end of the aperture. Here, a V-shaped cutout is provided in the periphery of the tubular member and open at the flared end thereof, the cutout decreasing in width in a direction away from the flared end. In connection with the last embodiment, extensions having either a ball mounted thereon or a U-shaped loop are described which are adapted to engage the tubular member to both prevent excessive passage of the extension through the aperture as well as locking the extension against undesired mesial movement.

United States Patent [191 Wallshein i 3,815,238 June 11, 1974 [5 ORTHODONTIC END TUBE Melvin Wallshein, 8645 Bay Pky., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11214 221 Filed: Mar. 5, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 337,896

[76] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerRobert Peshock Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Friedman & Goodman [57] ABSTRACT An orthodontic end tube is described which is suitable for receiving an extension of an inner bow of a face bow orthodontic appliance. The end tube comprises a tubular member having an aperture passing therethrough which is dimensioned to receive an extension of the inner bow. The tubular member is provided with guide means along a peripheral portion of the tubtilar member. According to one embodiment, the guide means is embodiment the guide means is in. the form of an elongated exposed groove having an open end at one end of the member. The groove extends at least partially along the length of the tubular member and is adapted to at least partially receive the extension of the inner bow. The tubular member, at the end of the tube where the groove has the open end, an end surface which is inclined relative to the axis of the tube. An inner surface portion of the aperture is exposed and positioned adjacent to and generally facing the direction of the groove. According to another embodiment, the guide means is in the form of a flared opening at one end of the aperture. Here, a V-shaped cutout is provided in the periphery of the tubular member and open at the flared end. thereof, the cutout decreasing in width in a direction away from the flared end. In connection with the last embodiment, extensions having either a ball mounted thereon or a U- shaped loop are described which are adapted to engage the tubular member to both prevent excessive passage of the extension through the aperture as well as locking the extension against undesired mesial movement.

13 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 11 I974 3.815238 FIGZ. 38 32 FIGIO.

g 1 ORTHODONTIC END TUBE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I end tube adapted to receive an extension of an inner bow of a face bow orthodontic appliance.

Face bows or night appliances, as they are sometimes called, are frequently utilized for providing extra oral traction for moving teeth without reciprocal forces acting on other teeth. Extra oral traction devices are available in various types which can exert forces in both distal as well as buccal or lingual directions.

The face bow typically comprises an outer bow and an inner bow or arch fixed together at the center. Extensions on the inner bow are typically insertable into round end or buccal tubes which are cemented to bands placed on the molar teeth or occasionally on other teeth. The end or buccal tubes typically have a circular aperture with a diameter approximately equal to that of the inner arch extensions which are receivable therein.

The end or buccal tubes of the prior art have had the disadvantage that they have made difficult and inconvenient the insertion of the inner bow extensions into the respective apertures of the end tubes. As described above, the diameters of the extensions aswell as those of the end tube apertures are approximately equal and insertion of the former into the latter has required careful alignment. However, many patients, most of whom are young children, have difficulty in precisely aligning the extensions with the respective apertures. Since face bows are normally worn atnight, the patient must reinsert the extensions into the end tubes at least once a day. An associated problem is that the patient normally does not know when alignment has been achieved since no recognizableindications appear to the patient at such time. Consequently, it sometimes may occur that the extensions are not guided into respective end tubes in the aligned condition. Alternately, a patient may actually and inadvertently withdraw the extensions from their associated end tubes while manipulating the face bow and not "knowing that engagement has been achieved. The lackof guide means and lack of external indications of alignment has made such alignment and insertion time consuming and, frequently, frustrating.

Buccal tubes are typically mounted in the buccal area of the mouth of the patient. Accordingly, the face bows, as well as the end tubes, are frequently formed so that they will neither impinge on the sensitive tissues in that area of the mouth as the patient sleeps. Damage to the sensitive tissues in the buccal regions of the mouth is likely unless special measures are taken in the design of the face bow and the end tubes to prevent such damage. However, it sometimes occurs that when an inner bow extension is urged distally against the action of the enc tubes, the extensions may pass through and excessively extend beyond the end tubes and come into contact wih the soft tissues in the mouth.

An associatedproblem with prior art face bows and end tubes has been that they have made possible undesirable mesial movement of the inner bow extensions relative to the end tubes and separation therebetween unless an external elastic is used which provides suitcient tension on the outer bow to prevent such mesial movement. Thus, before the outer elastic is properly I applied, it is possible for the extension to leave the aperture, as during sleep, .and engagement of the extensions and the end tubesmust again be carried out by carefully aligning the extensions with theapertures as described above. When elastics are used to retain the extensions in their. respective end tubes, excessive tension on one extension frequently causes the other extension to pop out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an orthodontic end tube which does not have the disadvantages associated with prior art end tubes. t

It is another object of the present invention to provide an end tube as described above which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an end-tube of the type under discussion which provides guide means for. facilitating the alignment of the extensions of an inner bow of a face bow appliance with the apertures in the end tubes adapted to receive the same. i

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an end tube which has an aperture therethrough and which has a guide groove for guiding a wire into the aperture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an orthodontic end tube which has a flared opening which communicates with an aperture in the end tube, the flared opening being enlarged so as to receive and guide a wire or a bow extension into the aperture.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an end tube which is provided with a V-shaped cutout which is adapted to receive a loop arm of a wire or bow extension for preventing excessive passage of an end portion of the wire or extension through the end tube aperture as well as for providing locking means which prevents undesired mesiall movements of the wire or extension.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a spherical ball in the form of a stop on an arch wire or bow extension which cooperates with a flared opening in an end tube for preventing excessive passage of the'wire or extension through an aperture of the end tube as well as for providing locking means which prevents undesired mesial movements of the wire or extension.

In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others'which will become apparent hereafter, an end tube in accordance with the present invention for receiving an extension of an inner bow of a face bow orthodontic appliance comprises a tubular member having an aperture adapted to receive an extension of an inner bow. The tubular member has a peripheral connecting portion adapted to be connected to an associated tooth. Said tubular member has a peripheral exposed portion, excluding said peripheral connecting portion. Guide means are provided in said peripheral exposed portion which is generally disposed in a direction along the length of said tubular member for at least partially receiving the extension and guiding the latter into said aperture.

According to the presently preferred embodiment, the end tube further comprises mounting means connected to said peripheral connecting portion for mounting said tubular member on the associated tooth. Said mounting means may comprise a welding or cementing flange.

According to one embodiment of said guide means, the latter comprises an elongated exposed groove having an open end at one end of said member, said groove extending at least partially along the length thereof. Said groove extends along the periphery of said tubular member in a direction parallel to the axis of the latter. Advantageously, said tubular member has an end surface, at the open end of the groove, inclined relative to said axis so as to expose an inner surface portion of said aperture adjacently and generally facing in the direction of said groove.

According to. another embodiment of said guide means, the latter comprises a flared opening at one end of said aperture, and a V-shaped cutout in the periphery of said tubular member opening at said one end. Said V-shaped cutout decreases in width in a direction away from said one opening.

The present invention also contemplates the combination of an end tube having the last described guide means together with locking means provided on the extension portions which engage the end tubes. One embodiment of the locking means comprises a ball having a diameter intermediate the diameter of said aperture and said flared opening at said one end of said member. Another embodiment of said stop means comprises a U-shaped loop having an arm transverse to said extension adapted to engage said V-shaped cutout when the extension is disposed in said aperture. In each case, the stopping means prevent excessive passage of said extension through said aperture and also locks the extension against undesired mesial movement of the latter by wedging the ball in 'the flared opening and wedging the arm in the V-shaped cutout respectively.

' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above'and additional objects and advantages in view, as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises'the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a typical, commonly used face bow showing the face bow cooperating with prior art end tubes, shown schematically in cross section;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an orthodontic end tube mounted on a welding flange having a guide groove and an end inclined surface which exposes an inner surface portion of the aperture of the end tube in the direction of the groove for facilitating alignment of an extension or wire with the aperture, and also showing the extension or arch wire spaced from the end tube prior to engagement therewith;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but showing the extension or wire received in the guide groove in a subsequent step of the alignment process;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 and further shows the wire or extension in abutment with the inner surface portion of the aperture after being guided thereinto and prior to insertion of the wire or extension into the aperture;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIGS. 2-4, showing the last step of the insertion process wherein the wire or extension is fully inserted into the aperture of the end tube;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the end tube and the wire or extension taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the end tube and the wire or extension taken along line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another embodiment of an orthodontic end tube having a flared opening and a V-shaped cutout for guiding and locking an arch wire or bow extension provided with a ball stop;

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 but showing the wire or bow extension locked in the end tube by the wedging effect of the flared opening on the ball;

FIG. 10 is similar to FIGS. 8 and 9, but showing another embodiment of a wire or extension in the form of a U-shaped loop having an arm adapted to engage the V-shaped cutout for locking the wire or extension in the tube and preventing the latter from excessively passing through the aperture;

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10, showing the wire or extension in a locked position by the wedging effect of the V-shaped cut out on a loop arm substantially transverse to the direction of the wire or extension; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of still another embodimentvof the present invention wherein a combination buccal tube includes a guide groove and a V-shaped mesial end which guides the extension into the end tube when the latter is frontally engaged by the extension.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the FIGURES, in which identical or like parts have been designated by the same reference numerals throughout, and first referring to FIG. I, a face bow or night appliance 10 commonly used in the prior art is shown to comprise an inner arch or bow l2 and an outer bow 14. The function of the individual bows and the manner in which they are utilized to provide corrective action is well known to those skilled in the art. The inner bow 12 is shown to be rigidly connected to the outer bow 14 at a central frontal adjoining portion 16. The outer bow 14 is provided with outer hooks 24 adapted to be connected to rubberized bands or other like elastic devices to provide extra oral forces to the teeth in the mouth.

The inner bow I2 is placed in the mouth when the face bow is in use and is typically provided with a stepdown or stop 18 to provide suitably dimensioned extensions 20 which are receivable in buccal or end tubes frequently cemented to the upper first molars by means of bands mounted on the latter. The prior art end tubes 22 are shown schematically and in cross-section to illustrate the general manner in which the extensions cooperate with the end tubes when the face bow is in use. The end tubes 22 are shown to have apertures which receive the end portions of the extensions 20 with little clearance. Typically, the diameters of the extensions 20 have 0.045 to 0.51 inch diameters while the diameters of the end tube apertures typically range between 0.045 to 0.051 inches to match the effectiveness. Accordingly, a patient, particularly an infant, frequently finds it difficult in aligning and inserting the extension 20 end portions into the prior art end tubes 22, as described in the Background of the Invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2-7, a first embodiment of the present invention, a buccal or end tube, is shown which substantially facilitates the insertion of the extensions or arch wires into the apertures of the end tubes. The end tube comprises an extraoral tube or round buccal member 30 has a peripheral connecting portion (not shown) which; is adapted to be connected to an associated tooth. Inthe preferred embodiment, as shown in these FIGURES, the peripheral connecting portion is connected by'conventional means to mounting means in the form of a welding flange 32. The welding flange is adapted to be welded onto a band associated with a tooth on which the tubular member 30 is to be mounted. e

The .tubularmember has aperipheral exposed portion, which excludes the peripheral connecting portion. A guide groove 38 is shown provided .on the peripheral exposed portion of the tubular member which extends from one end thereof in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the tubular member. The guide groove 38 hasan open end at an end of said member 30, the groove 38 extending at least partially along the length of the member. Although the groove 38 may be disposed along any portion of the exposed periphery of the tubular member 30, the groove 38 is'advanta-.

geously disposed diametrically opposite in position on the tubular member 30 with respect to the peripheral connecting portion or the welding flange 32, as in the presently preferred embodiment.

An elongated. aperture 34 passes between the two ends of the tubular member 30. The guide groove 38 commences and is open at the end of the tube through which an extension or wire 40 normally enters or is received by the elongated aperture 34. In the presently preferred embodiment, the end of the tubular member 30 which first normally receives the extension or wire 40 is on the left end of the tube, as viewed in FIGS. 2-5.

Provided on the same end of the tubular member 30, at which the guide groove 38 commences, is an end inclined surface 36 which is angularly oriented with reguide groove 38 and exposed in such a manner so as to generally symmetrically face in the direction of the groove.

The dimensions of the guide groove 38 are such as to at least partially receive the extension or the arch wire 40, as best seen in FIG. 6. The external dimensions of the wire or extension, as well as the internal dimensions of the elongated aperture 34 may correspond dimensionally to their prior art counterparts. However, the alignment and insertion of the extensions or wires into the apertures is greatly facilitated, as will now be described.

The first step in the insertion procedure is the positioning of the arch wire or extension 40 in the general vicinity of the tubular member 30, which has been mounted on an associated tooth by means of the welding flange 32. The arch wire or extension 40 is then positioned in the guide groove 38. It should be apparent that the alignment of the wire or extension 40 with an exposed guide groove 38 is substantially less critical or cumbersome and inconvenient than alignment of the wire or extension with a closed aperture which is similarly dimensioned. The next step of the procedure is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, whereinthe archwire or extension 40 is moved in sliding fashion along-the groove while still engaging the latter so as to bring the end of the wire or extension beyond the open end, of the groove. When the wireor extension 40 reaches the position shown in FIG. 4, namely when the end of .the wire or extension has left the confines of the groove, the end of the extension or arch wire 40:can be slipped onto the inner surface portion 35 of the elongated aperture 34 by urging the extension or arch wire 40 end towards the welding flange 32 as the arch wire or extension 40 is slid off the elongated groove 38.

It will be appreciated that the orientation of the inclined surface 36 downwardly and outwardly from the groove end provides the inner surface portion 35 of the elongated groove 38 which easily and conveniently receives the end of the wire or extension 40 as soon as the latter leaves the groove 38. Herein lies another advantage of the subject invention. When extension 40 slides off the groove and makes contact with the inner surface portion 35, a snapping sound is generated which is audibly detectable by the patient. This is'an indication that alignment has been achieved and that insertion of the extension into the end tube may safely proceed.

Once lodged in or once in abutment against the inner surface portion 35, the arch wire or extension 40 is automatically aligned with the elongated aperture 34 since the inner surface portion 35 is an extension of the aperture 34. At this time, it becomes a simple matter to move the extension or arch wire 40 axially into the elongated aperture 34 to a fully inserted position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

Although the inner surface portion 35 has a greater surface area and is better adapted to receive the end of the extension or arch wire 40 when the elongated aperture 34 has a greater diameter, facility of alignment may be achieved with conventional dimensions for both the extensions and arch wiresas well as conventional dimensions of elongated apertures by sufficiently inclining the end surface 36.

The guide groove 38, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, is shown to be circular and having a radius of curvature approximately equal to thatof the arch wire or extension. However, this is not critical so long as the arch wire or extension can be located in the groove and guided thereby.

A different embodiment of the end tubes is shown in FIGS. 8-11. Here, the tube or tubular member 50 is provided with a flared opening 56 at one end of the aperture 54. Again, as with the first embodiment, the flared opening 56 is provided at the end of the tubular member 50 which is first normally to receive the end portion of an extension or wire 40. The tubular member 50 is provided with a normally dimensioned aper ture 54 at the other end. The cross-sectional area of the flared opening at the extreme end of the tube 50 is substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the aperture 54. More particularly, the maximum flared opening cross-section is selected to be substantially greater than the cross-section of the extension or arch wire 40. In this manner, the flared opening 56 acts as a funnel whose passage may be more easily located by a smaller dimensioned wire or extension. Once disposed interiorly of the flared opening 56, the extension or arch wire 40 may be easily advanced and guided thereby for ultimate passage into the aperture 54. Initial alignment of the extension or arch wire 40 is shown in FIG. 8"while full insertion of the arch wire or extension into the end tube 50 is shown in FIG.'9.

Another feature of the just described embodiment of the end tube 50 is the provision of a V-shaped cutout 58 which is diametrically opposite in position to the peripheral connecting portion or welding flange 32. The width of the cutout58 continually decreases in the direction away from the flared opening 56 end. The function of the V-shaped cutout 58 will be described hereafter.

In addition to the guiding feature which the flared opening 56 provides, as described above, the continually decreasing cross-section of the flared opening 56 permits the extension or arch wire'40 to be locked so as to prevent inadvertent separation of the extension or arch wire 40 from thetube 50 by mesial movement of the end portion 60 relative to the end tube. To achieve such locking action, a spherical ball 62 is provided on the end portion 60 whose diameter is intermediate the diameter of the aperture 54 and the maximum diameter of the flared opening. In this manner, the ball 62 can enter the flared opening 56, but is prevented from excessive passage therethrough by the continually decreasing diameter of the flared opening. The end portion 60-is prevented from further movement in a distal direction as soon as the diameter of the ball 62 is substantially equal to the diameter of the flared opening 56 with which it is in contact. By gently applying a force in the distaldirection on the end portion 60, the ball 62 is wedged into the flared opening 56 by partial deformation of the ball 62. Such action locks the end portion 60 in the tube 50 and prevents inadvertent separation between the end portion 60 and the tube 50. A moderate force is now required to remove the end portion 60 from the tube 50 -.--the force beingrequired to unlock or dislodge the wedged ball 62 in the flared opening 56.

In place of the ball 62, a U-shaped loop 66 may be provided at the end of the extension or wire 40 the loop comprising two substantially transverse loop arms 70, 72 and a base arm 68. In the case of the ball 62, both the flared opening 56 as well as the V-shaped cutout '58 provide, thewedging action. However, with the loop 66, the wedging action, as well as the stopping action, is provided by'the continually decreasing width of the V-shaped cutout 58. Thus, when the distal loop arm 72 reaches'that point of the V-shaped cutout 58 where the width of the latter is substantially equal to the diameter of the loop arm, the end portion 60 is prevented from further distal movement. Further distal force applied to thearch wire extension 40 wedges the distal loop arm 72 in the V-shaped cutout which prevents separation as described above. The last described embodiment of the extension or wire loop configuration provides another advantageous feature. While the loop 66 prevents excessive distal advancement of the end portion 60 and locks the loop arm 72 in the V-shaped cutout 58, the locking action also prevents the angular movement of the end portion 60 about its own axis. This may be desirable in certain instances.

it should be clear that although the inclined surfaces 36, as wellas the flared openings 56 and V-shaped cutouts 58 have been'shown and described as being provided on the left end of the tubes, as viewed in the FIG URES, it is equally possible to provide these structural features on the right end of the tubes.

. Referring to FIG. 12, a combination buccal tube is shown which incorporates the subject invention for facilitating the guidance of a bow extension into an end tube 82 adapted to receive the same. The combination tube 80 incorporates an end tube 84 for receiving an arch wire (not shown). A guide groove 38' may be provided on the end tube 82 as suggested above. With this embodiment, the end tubes 82 and 84 are each configurated to form inclined surfaces 88 and 86 respectively which together define a V-shaped or wedge-shaped groove. The surface 88 is advantageously also inclined,

tion between the surfaces 86 and 88. This embodiment has the additional advantage that should engagement be effected between an extension and either surface 86 or 88, the extension will be guided into the elongate aperture 34.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled'in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An end tube for receiving an extension of an inner bow of a face bow orthodontic appliance comprising a tubular member having an elongate aperture suitable for receiving an extension of an inner bow, said tubular member having an external peripheral surface including a peripheral connecting portion suitable for being connected to an associated tooth, and a peripheral ex posed portion which comprises said external peripheral surface ,with the exception of said peripheral connecting portion, said tubular member being provided with an elongate exposed groove having an open end at one end of said member, said groove extending at least partially along the length of said member and being adapted to at least partially receive the extension of the inner bow, said tubular member further having at said one end thereof an end surface inclinedwith' respect to the axis of the tubular member so that said end surface exposes an inner surface portion of said aperture with the latter generally facing in the direction of said groove, whereby the extensionmay be at least partially received by said groove and guided into said aperture by being snappingly moved from said groove into abutment against said inner surface portion of said aperture.

2. An end tube as defined in claim 1, further comprising mounting means connected to said peripheral connecting portion formounting said tubular member on the associate tooth.

3.. An end tube as defined in claim 2, wherein said mounting means comprises a welding flange.

4. An end tube for receiving an extension of an inner bow of a face bow orthodontic appliance comprising a tubular member having an elongate aperture suitable for receiving an extension of an inner bow, said tubular member having an external peripheral surface including a peripheral connecting portion suitable for being connected to an associated tooth and a'peripheral exposed portion which comprises said external peripheral surface with the exception of said peripheral connecting portion, said tubular member being provided with the inner bow to be continuously guided until passed therethrough into alignment with said aperture.

5. An end tube as defined in claim 14, wherein said V-shaped cutout is diametrically opposite in position on said tubular member with respect to said peripheral connecting portion.

6. An end tube as defined in claim 4, in combination with an inner bow extension having a ball mounted on said extension, said ball having a diameter intermediate the diameter of said aperture and said flared opening at said one end of said member, whereby said ball can enter said flared opening and is prevented from excessive passage therethrough by the continually decreasing diameter of said flared opening.

7. An end tube as defined in claim 4, in combination with an inner bow extension configurated in the shape of a U-shaped loop, said loop having an arm transverse to said extension to engage said V-shaped cutout when said extension is disposed in said aperture for preventing excessive entry of said extension through said aperture.

8. Ah orthodontic device for receiving an extension of an inner bow of a face bow orthodontic appliance, comprising a tubular member having an elongate aperture for receiving an extension of an inner bow; and an v 10 end tube, suitable for. receiving an. arch wire, disposed parallel and connected to said tubular'member along an exposed peripheral portion thereof, said tubular member and said end tube having end surfacesadjacent and inclined relative to eachother to form a V- shaped groove suitable for guiding an extension of an inner bow into said aperture when said extension engages either of said .end surfaces.

9. An orthodontic device as defined in claim 8, further comprising an elongated exposed groove provided longitudinally on said tubular member, said exposed groove having an open end at one end of said member and being adapted to at least partially receive an extension of an inner bow.

10. An orthodontic device as defined in claim 9,

wherein said tubular member has an axis and wherein said one end of said tubular member includes an end surface defining a plane forming an angle with said axis.

11. An orthodontic device as defined in claim 10, wherein saidend surface is angularly oriented with respect to said axis so that saidend surface is axially outwar dly directed from said groove end towards said peripheral connecting portion.

' 12. An end tube as defined in claim 4 wherein said tubular member is provided with a flared opening at said one end.

13. An end tube as defined in claim 4 wherein said cutout is substantially V-shaped anddecreases in width in a direction away from said one end. 

1. An end tube for receiving an extension of an inner bow of a face bow orthodontic appliance comprising a tubular member having an elongate aperture suitable for receiving an extension of an inner bow, said tubular member having an external peripheral surface including a peripheral connecting portion suitable for being connected to an associated tooth, and a peripheral exposed portion which comprises said external peripheral surface with the exception of said peripheral connecting portion, said tubular member being provided with an elongate exposed groove having an open end at one end of said member, said groove extending at least partially along the length of said member and being adapted to at least partially receive the extension of the inner bow, said tubular member further having at said one end thereof an end surface inclined with respect to the axis of the tubular member so that said end surface exposes an inner surface portion of said aperture with the latter generally facing in the direction of said groove, whereby the extension may be at least partially received by said groove and guided into said aperture by being snappingly moved from said groove into abutment against said inner surface portion of said aperture.
 2. An end tube as defined in claim 1, further comprising mounting means connected to said peripheral connecting portion for mounting said tubular member on the associate tooth.
 3. An end tube as defined in claim 2, wherein said mounting means comprises a welding flange.
 4. An end tube for receiving an extension of an inner bow of a face bow orthodontic appliance comprising a tubular member having an elongate aperture suitable for receiving an extension of an inner bow, said tubular member having an external peripheral surface including a peripheral connecting portion suitable for being connected to an associated tooth and a peripheral exposed portion which comprises said external peripheral surface with the exception of said peripheral connecting portion, said tubular member being provided with a cutout in the periphery of said tubular member at least partially communicating with said aperture at one end thereof and having transverse dimensions at said one end at least equal to the diameter of said aperture and extension of the inner bow, whereby the extensions of the inner bow may be at least partially received by said cutout with the latter permitting the extensions of the inner bow to be continuously guided until passed therethrough into alignment with said aperture.
 5. An end tube as defined in claim 14, wherein said V-shaped cutout is diametrically opposite in position on said tubular member with respect to said peripheral connecting portion.
 6. An end tube as defined in claim 4, in combination with an inner bow extension having a ball mounted on said extension, said ball having a diameter intermediate the diameter of said aperture and said flared opening at said one end of said member, whereby said ball can enter said flared opening and is prevented from excessive passage therethrough by the continually decreasing diameter of said flared opening.
 7. An end tube as defined in claim 4, in combination with an inner bow extension configurated in the shape of a U-shaped loop, said loop having an arm transverse to said extension to engage said V-shaped cutout when said extension is disposed in said aperture for preventing excessive entry of said extension through said aperture.
 8. An orthodontic device for receiving an extension of an inner bow of a face bow orthodontic appliance, comprising a tubular member having an elongate aperture for receiving an extension of an inner bow; and an end tube, suitable for receiving an arch wire, disposed parallel and connected to said tubular member along an exposed peripheral portion thereof, said tubular member and said end tube having end surfaces adjacent and inclined relative to each other to form a V-shaped groove suitable for guiding an extension of an inner bow into said aperture when said extension engages either of said end surfaces.
 9. An orthodontic device as defined in claim 8, further comprising an elongated exposed groove provided longitudinally on said tubular member, said exposed groove having an open end at one end of said member and being adapted to at least partially receive an extension of an inner bow.
 10. An orthodontic device as defined in claim 9, wherein said tubular member has an axis and wherein said one end of said tubular member includes an end surface defining a plane forming an angle with said axis.
 11. An orthodontic device as defined in claim 10, wherein said end surface is angularly oriented with respect to said axis so that said end surface is axially outwardly directed from said groove end towards said peripheral connecting portion.
 12. An end tube as defined in claim 4 wherein said tubular member is provided with a flared opening at saId one end.
 13. An end tube as defined in claim 4 wherein said cutout is substantially V-shaped and decreases in width in a direction away from said one end. 